A Civita-Serra Mesa non-profit dedicated to the prevention of pedestrian fatalities. A freeway connector was approved for permanently flawed roads. Flawed because the steep slopes and curves of these roads prevent crosswalks or traffic calming from ever being installed. If the speedway connector is completed, lives will be at risk.

A May 2018 report by the National Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) validates Save Civita’s concerns. Available at iihs.org, the report describes a scenario strikingly similar. The report states that pedestrian fatalities have peaked and one of the leading causes is stretches of road in a dense residential area with no crosswalks or traffic calming, where the roads are used to funnel traffic to and from freeways.

On October 30th, 2017 San Diego City Council approved a 4-lane, 55-mph freeway connector that will direct traffic through Serra Mesa and half-mile stretches of Via Alta and Franklin Ridge roads in Civita, a smart growth, dense residential community in Mission Valley.

Based on the City’s final environmental impact report, on the connector’s opening day the average daily vehicle trips will be 23,217 (16 cars every minute) and by 2035 they will be 34,117 (24 cars every minute).

The City, politicians, and large developers in Mission Valley argue this sacrifice needs to be made for the “Greater Good,” stating the rest of the City will benefit from the connector by allowing more homes to be built in Mission Valley, a flow of regional traffic between I-805 and Mission Valley’s Friars Road, and a GPS short cut for commuters.

Why we are going to court:Save Civita Because Sudberry Won’t filed a lawsuit on Nov. 17, 2017, in San Diego County Superior Court.

The lawsuit was filed based on the belief that the connector project does not comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the City of San Diego General Plan, and all applicable laws, for example, the Planning and Zoning Laws (“PZL”).

Also, the roadway segments were not designed in accordance with walkable, mixed-use, industry-standard practices for accommodation of pedestrians and regional freeway traffic and is not compliant with the City’s Council Policy 200-07 and the City’s street design manual.

The goal of the lawsuit is to stop the construction of the 4-lane freeway connector and in doing so prevent pedestrian fatalities.

Lawsuit Timeline Update: 5-11-2019: The trial did not occur on the originally scheduled date of April 23, 2019. Judge, Honorable Joel Wohlfeil moved the Save Civita Because Sudberry Won’t trial to Thursday, September 19, at 1:30 p.m. because the parties needed more time to finish the administrative record.

The new Briefing and Hearing Schedule is as follows:

Petitioner (Save Civita) provides the City of San Diego with the draft Amended Administrative Record (AR) on or before May 10, 2019

The City reviews and certifies the Amended AR on or before May 31, 2019.

Petitioner’s Opening Brief will be filed and served on or before July 5, 2019

The City’s Response Brief will be filed and served on or before August 5, 2019

Petitioner’s Reply Brief will be filed and served on or before August 26, 2019

The writ hearing shall take place on September 19, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. in Department 73.

For more information on the lawsuit and issues with The City of San Diego and Sudberry Properties, go to SaveCivita.com

What You Can DoDonate:We need your financial support to prevent fatalities. For those who have already contributed, we thank you, and encourage additional participation if you are able.For those who have held back donating, now is the time to step forward. Your donations will go towards attorney fees, expert witnesses and getting the word out to everyone about this potentially dangerous situation.

You may donate anonymously on this Go Fund Me page or by check. If you wish to donate by check, let us know at savecivita@gmail.comMake checks payable to "Save Civita Because Sudberry Won't"

Disclaimer: The statements here reflect our organization’s opinions. We strive to provide the source materials that substantiate our views. Everyone is encouraged to review the source materials and do independent research before drawing any conclusions.Photo depiction of life on Via Alta in Civita if freeway connector is built.